Our Story
A passion for adventure wrapped in culture and community.
These are the makings of something extraordinary.

Founders
Sherpa Family

Founder
Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa

Founder
Namgyal Sherpa
Namgyal Sherpa is CEO of Sherpa Hospitality and Managing Director of Thamserku Trekking. Born into a life immersed in the mountaineering world, Sonam’s son, Namgyal Sherpa had two parents with climbing in their souls. Namgyal’s mother, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, was an avid climber making history as the first Nepali woman to summit Everest. Her spirit embodied the definition of trailblazer, defying culture norms while setting world records. She sadly lost her life on the descent but her memory is cherished across Nepal for redefining what women can do. Namgyal is vice president of the Pasang Lhamu Foundation, an organization in honor of his mother that provides opportunity and empowerment for women from remote and mountainous regions through outreach and training. The foundation gives Namgyal the platform to bring his passion for community outreach and conservation to deprived areas of Nepal. Now with the support of Shinta Mani Mustang – A BENSLEY Collection, this philanthropic endeavour will be extended specifically to projects in Mustang.
Raised in a family with a thriving nationwide business, Namgyal’s seen the inside of the industry his whole life. As CEO, he oversees many arms of Sherpa Hospitality’s businesses. This includes the development of Mountain Lodges of Nepal and fine dining establishments such as Le Sherpa, one of the most respected fine dining restaurants in Kathmandu, and also the venue for the popular weekly farmer’s market. He’s also the owner of the stylish boutique hotel, Nomad with the gourmet Italian Piano Piano attached in the trendy Lazimpat neighbourhood of Kathmandu. With Namgyal at the helm, this new collaboration with Shinta Mani is yet another string to Sherpa Hospitality’s well-established bow.

Architect
Bill Bensley

GROUP DIRECTOR OF BRAND & PROJECT
Jason M. Friedman

General Manager
Pradyot Rana
A proud Nepali native, Pradyot holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from the Management Development Institute in Singapore. After graduating in 2007, he spent 5 years in the finance industry before beginning a career in hospitality as a Senior Naturalist and Camp Manager for Pugdundee Safari M.P., one of India’s leading safari companies.
From there Pradyot spent two years as Senior Naturalist at the Samode Safari Lodge, Relais & Chateaux, in Bandhavgarth M.P. India before becoming Resident Manager of Jagatpur Lodge by the Ananapurna Group of Hotels. His most recent role prior to joining Shinta Mani Mustang was as Project and Business Development Manager at Tiger Tops Nepal who have been pioneering sustainable high-end tourism in Nepal since the early sixties.

Architect
Prabal Thapa
Prabal Thapa is a renowned Nepali architect with a strong commitment to sustainable design. His firm, Prabal Thapa Architects, established over 20 years ago, has pioneered energy efficient architecture in Nepal utilising passive solar design and waste management as integral facets of their structures. They have renovated historic buildings and designed many institutional buildings throughout Nepal. Prabal Thapa studied for his Masters in Architecture in Vienna, Austria.

Artist
Robert Powell

TEXTILES
Dart and Christopher

Doctor
Amchi Tsewang Gyurme Gurung

Thakali Chef and Civic Leader
Kamala Didi

Artist
Dhwoj Gurung
Dhwoj Gurung is a well-renowned artist based in Nepal. His exceptional artworks are displayed at Shinta Mani Mustang – A BENSLEY Collection’s Living Room and Nilgiri Restaurant. He works mainly with acrylics and oils. He earned his Master of Fine Arts degree at Tribhuwan University, Central Department of Fine Art in Kirtipur, Nepal. He has showcased his plein air paintings in solo exhibitions at the Ramsey Gallery, University of North Carolina, USA, and at Park Gallery in Kathmandu, a prominent contemporary art venue in Nepal.
He has also been a part of numerous group exhibitions and was invited to participate in Bhutan’s inaugural International Festival in 2015. In 2013, he was honored with the RN Joshi Prize for his outstanding contributions during the Return To Nature Program (Plein Air Festival) organized by Park Gallery. His artistic endeavors have been featured twice in Outdoor Painter magazine, as well as in various significant publications in Nepal. Gurung’s paintings find homes in numerous private collections both in Nepal and abroad. He leads a modest life, focusing wholeheartedly on his craft.